B^msssfeiwssE 


fi^^^/tt'i-J  y®-*^i^^±sK5g-j  i 


POEMS 

AND 
FANTASIES 


Poems  and  Fantasies 


by 


Including  two  poem  dramas 

"A  Passer-by" 

and 

'  Fishermen  of  the  Sea  " 


GRAFTON  PUBLISHING  CORPORATION 

LOS  ANGELES,  U.  S.  A. 


K 


Stanley  Preston  Kniiiie!   -'  V '.'; 


Copyright,    1916 

by 
Stanley  Preston  Kimmel 


All   rights   reserved 


DEDICATION 

The  songs  which  I  sing 

Have  been  sung  oft  before, 

And  the  words  are  the  same  as  of  old. 

But  don't  count  their  worth 

By  things  of  the  Earth, 

Such  as  silver,  or  brass,  or  gold. 


[7] 

-369. 


POEMS 


[9] 


THE  BROOKLET 

I  hear  a  brooklet  murmur, 
So  soft  and  sweet  and  low, 

As  through  the  little  valley 
Its  bright  clear  waters  flow, 

Rushing  along  so  merrily 

Past  the  mossy  banks; 
In  and  out  among  the  rocks, 

It  plays  its  little  pranks. 

How  many  years,  my  little  brook, 
Have  you  thus  passed  along 

Through  the  lonely  forest, 

With  only  the  woods  as  your  home? 

You  may  run  on  forever, 

But  soon  I  shall  be  gone, 
And  only  the  birds  in  the  forest 

Will  hear  your  sad,  sweet  song. 

But  they  will  understand  each  word, 

Each  little  tune  you  play, 
And  I  in  solitude  shall  dwell, 

In  my  forest,  far  away. 

[10] 


KONNIE 

Many  a  day  as  the  sun  sinks  low 

I  wander  along  by  the  sea, 

And  remember  the  hours,  spent  long  ago, 

With  the  beautiful  maiden  Konnie, 

With  the  beautiful  maiden  Konnie. 

And  there  comes  a  song  from  out  the  wind, 
But  the  words  are  lost  to  me; 
Still  in  a  dream  I  wander  on 
With  the  beautiful  maiden  Konnie, 
With  the  beautiful  maiden  Konnie. 

The  stars  sparkle  bright  from  out  the  sky, 
And  the  moon  comes  up  o'er  the  lea, 
Upon  my  cheeks  I  feel  the  kiss 
Of  the  beautiful  maiden  Konnie, 
Of  the  beautiful  maiden  Konnie. 

The  roar  of  the  sea  calls  me  from  the  dream 

Of  the  land  where  I  long  to  be, 

And  the  song  which  I  heard  is  the  wind  o'er 

the  grave 

Of  the  beautiful  maiden  Konnie, 
Of  the  beautiful  maiden  Konnie. 

The  lips  which  so  closely  seemed  pressed  to 

my  cheek — 

Only  a  rose  in  my  hand, 
And  homeward  alone,  I  turn  my  steps, 
As  the  waves  madly  dash  on  the  sand, 
As  the  waves  madly  dash  on  the  sand. 

nil 


SONG  OF  THE  SHEPHERD 

With  heart  as  free  as  a  bird 
I  homeward  wind  my  way, 

Sheep  follow  closely  behind  me, 
In  the  distance  stretches  the  bay. 

All  is  so  still  and  quiet 

I  can  hear  the  song  of  the  sea, 

But  its  doleful  tune  half  saddens 
This  heart  so  gay  and  free. 

And  as  the  night  comes  creeping 

Slowly,  but  surely  on, 
I  am  thankful  to  Him  above  me 

For  shelter  until  the  dawn. 


[12] 


A  REMEMBRANCE 

You  remember,  don't  you  Stella, 
The  morning  I  first  met  you  there 

Standing  under  the  umbrella, 
You,  with  lovely  golden  hair. 

And  we  wandered  on  together, 
Seemed  as  though  we  didn't  mind 

This,  or  any  kind  of  weather; 
Life  to  us  was  then  sublime. 

We  were  very  young  and  gay, 

Never  thinking  of  the  morrow; 
But  just  living  for  the  day; 

Little  dreaming  then  of  sorrow. 

Now  full  twenty  years  have  passed; 

O'er  many  countries  have  I  roamed, 
And  you, — I  dare  not  ask, 

But  I, — I  am  alone. 


[13] 


THE  SEA 

It  is  no  wonder  to  me 

That  some  men  love  the  sea, 
So  pure  and  deep  and  blue, 

So  old  and  yet  so  new. 


[14] 


THOUGHTS  OF  A  CHILD  WHILE 
GAZING  AT  A  STAR 

Oh,  little  star  way  off  up  there, 
How  small  you  seem  to  me, 

Yet  you  may  hold  a  world  as  large 
As  two  of  ours  could  be. 


[15] 


SERENADE 

The  night  wind's  softly  singing 
And  the  moon  is  all  aglow; 

Your  lover  now  is  waiting 
In  the  garden  here  below. 

Come,  come,  ere  our  evening 

Hath  passed  so  fast  away 
And  the  fresh  breeze  of  morning 

Hath  kissed  another  day. 

We'll  wander  far  into  the  glen, 

Where  only  birds  and  flowers  dwell, 

And  listen  to  their  wonder  tales, 
So  much  of  love  they  have  to  tell! 

And  not  until  the  sign  of  dawn 
Comes  sweeping  o'er  the  lea 

Will  we  return  again,  my  love, 
To  this  castle  by  the  sea. 


[16] 


ARLEE 

In  a  time  past  long  ago, 
In  a  land  of  rain  and  snow, 
There  lived  a  little  maiden 
Whose  name  was  called 

Arlee. 

And  no  other  thoughts  were  her's, 
As  the  days  their  nights  unfurled, 
Than  to  love  and  in  return  be  loved 

By  me. 

Many  an  hour  passed  by, 
And  many  silent  sighs 
Found  their  echoes  in  the  heart 
Of  this  little  maid 

Arlee. 

Then  September  brought  the  day, 
For  me  to  go  away, 
And  I  with  heart  of  sadness  took 

My  leave. 

I  remember  still  the  brook, 
And  the  little  shady  nook, 
Where  I  spent  the  last  few  moments 
With  the  little  maid 

Arlee. 

As  the  tears  rolled  down  our  cheeks, 
Neither  one  of  us  could  speak, 
When  we  parted  by  the  brook  across 

The  lea. 

[17] 


THE  LONE  STAR 

As  the  sun  sinks  in  the  west 

With  its  shimmering  golden  crest, 

The  Lone  Star  rises  o'er  the  sea, 

She  guides  me  in  my  quest, 

To  where  I  may  find  rest, 

Then  silently  she  watches  over  me. 

And  the  many  hours  pass  by, 
As  I  slumber  'neath  the  sky, 
Dreaming  of  a  land  to  be. 
And  I  hope  that  when  I  die, 
They'll  put  me  where  I'll  lie 
So  her  rays  will  ever  fall  on  me. 


[18] 


IN  THE  GARDEN  DOWN  BELOW 

In  the  twilight  of  the  evening, 
As  the  sun  is  bending  low, 

I  hear  a  sweet  voice  humming 
In  the  garden  down  below. 

And  its  tones  are  oft  familiar, 

Seems  as  though  I  ought  to  know, 

Just  who  it  is  that's  humming 
In  the  garden  down  below. 

Then  I  softly  draw  the  curtains, 
And  the  ground  is  white  as  snow, 

As  the  lights  shine  out  upon  it 
In  the  garden  down  below. 

And  close  beside  the  fountain, 
Where  the  water  lilies  grow, 

Stands  my  lovely  Angelina 
In  the  garden  down  below. 


[19] 


SALTON  LAND 

A  land  of  desolations, 
The  land  here  by  a  sea, 
A  place  unknown  of  nations 
And  death  for  you  and  me. 
Whose  shores  are  naught  but  sand, 
Whose  soil  ne'er  bears  a  tree, 
A  land  of  burning  sun 
And  death  for  you  and  me. 


[20] 


EVENING  FAREWELL 

Farewell  ye  noble  mountains, 

The  evening  doth  come  on 

And  take  thee  from  my  vision 

With  the  setting  of  the  sun, 

And  clothe  thee  in  thy  night  attire — 

That  pure  blue  veil  of  mist, 

And  thou  dost  live  forever  more 

In  a  country  such  as  this. 

The  snows  ne'er  beat  upon  thy  side 

Nor  rain  and  tempests  rage, 

But  flowers  in  all  their  beauty  hide 

And  on  thy  bosom  fade. 

What  wonders  thou  hast  seen  and  heard, 

What  peoples  thou  hast  known, 

What  triumphs  wilt  thou  yet  perceive, 

What  misery  and  moan! 


[21] 


THE  SUICIDE 

Guanguana! 
In  the  gloomy  dusk  of  night, 

Guanguana! 
I  can  see  thy  face, 
Engraved  upon  a  tomb  so  white, 

Guanguana! 
Thou,  so  pure  and  chaste. 

Guanguana! 
The  roaring  waters  of  the  sea, 

Guanguana! 

In  full  light  of  the  moon. 
Bid  me  come  and  rest  with  thee, 

Guanguana! 
Eternally  within  thy  tomb, 

Guanguana! 
Forever  rest  within  thy  tomb. 


[22] 


EHEU! 

Here  I  lie,  within  the  earth, 
The  same  whose  womb  did  give  me  birth, 
I  cry,  "O  soul,  art  thou  accursed!" 
The  answer:  rumblings  of  my  hearse. 

And  as  the  feet  above  me  trod, 
In  tune,  as  thunder  of  the  cloud, 
I  call  in  agony  to  God — 
The  answer:  falling  of  the  sod. 

Tempest  torn,  my  fevered  brain 
Cries  anew  with  every  pain; 
"Must  I,  to  Earth,  return  again!" 
The  answer:  tapping  of  the  rain. 

Here  where  worms  will  crawl  within 
To  eat  from  out  my  heart,  the  sin ; 
"Oh,  could  it  otherwise  have  been!" 
The  answer:  howling  of  the  wind, 
Eheu!   Eheu! 


[23] 


FANTASIES 


[25] 


Oft  in  the  night, 

When  everything  is  still, 

I  seem  to  hear  you  singing 

Some  old  forgotten  song; 

But  when  I  pause  to  listen 

A  pain  darts  through  my  heart, 

And  the  only  sound  that  greets  me 

Is  the  night  wind  at  my  door. 


[27] 


II 


As  I  was  walking  in  my  garden 

I  came  upon  a  most  beautiful  flower. 

I  stopped  to  pluck  it,  thinking  that 

Its  beauty  and  its  fragrance  would  help 

Me  on  my  way,  but  there  beneath 

Its  petals  grew  large  thorns,  and  so 

I  left  it,  and  passed  on. 


[281 


Ill 

Little  birds  of  the  forest 
From  whence  do  you  come 
And  whither  do  you  go? 
What  dost  thou  sing 
So  merrily,  so  sweetly? 
Is  it  the  forest 
That  gives  thee  thy  songs? 
Dost  thou  know  the  secret 
Beauty  of  the  flowers? 
Dost  thou  know  the  limits 
Of  the  heavens? 
Would  that  I  had  thy 
Freedom  and  thy  song. 
Little  birds  of  the  forest 
From  whence  do  you  come 
And  whither  do  you  go? 


[29] 


IV 

As  you  passed  my  door  yesterday, 

On  your  way  to  the  fountain, 

A  rose  fell  from  your  tresses. 

I  called  to  you,  but  my 

Words  were  in  vain. 

Now  I  return  it  to  you, 

With  thankfulness  that 

For  one  sweet  day 

It  did  lie  upon  rny  heart. 


[30] 


I  once  had  a  beautiful  garden 

Wherein  the  birds  their  sweetest  songs   did 

sing, 

And  little  brooks  murmured  softly  and  low. 
There  the  flowers  were  rocked  to  sleep 
Each  evening  by  the  gentle  winds, 
And  in  the  morning  awakened  by 
The  kisses  of  the  sun. 
And  in  the  midst  of  all 
Stood  a  beautiful  lake,  at  whose  side 

Was  the  castle  "Joy." 

But  a  great  storm  came  and  beat  upon  it 
And  left  it  coarse  and  rugged 
And  without  beauty. 

My  garden  was  no  longer  a  garden  of  flowers, 
But  a  wilderness,  the  lake  a  wild 
And  furious  sea,  at  whose  side 
Was  the  castle  "Pain." 


[31] 


VI 


My  gate  is  open,  why  do  you  not  come  in? 
Why  stand  there  so  lovely,  yet  with  a  tear  drop 
In  your  eye?     If  it  is  sad  you  are,  perchance 
I  might  make  you  gay.  If  lonely — 

Nay,  do  not  go  away. 


[32] 


VII 

As  my  canoe  glided  into  the  driftwood 
I  seemed  to  see  you  standing  on  the  shore. 
But  as  the  moon  played  full  upon  the 
Mossy  bank,  only  a  pure,  white  lily 
Lifted  her  head    rocking  to  and  fro 
In  the  night  breezes. 


[33] 


VIII 

In  the  forest  today  I  found 

A  wild  flower,  blooming  alone. 

She  told  me  the  brook  sang  to  her  all  day 

And  in  the  evening  the  winds  came 

To  lull  her  to  sleep.    She  loved 

The  forest  for  here  was  her  home, 

This  little  wild  flower  which  I 

Found  today,  blooming  alone. 


[34] 


IX 

What  I  write  when  I  am  sad 
I  love  to  read  when  I  am  glad. 
It  is  not  that  the  rain  spoils 
The  sunny  day,  to  me  it  is  more 
Beautiful  than  before.    Nor  do  the 
Shadows  of  the  clouds  darken  my 
Path  as  they  hide  me  and 
Let  me  walk  in  peace — alone. 
So  my  thoughts  when  I  am  sad 
I  love  to  read  when  I  am  glad. 


[35] 


X 


What  song  doth  float  upon  the  midnight  air, 
What    strange    music    through    my    window 

comes 

So  full  of  sadness  and  of  grief? 
Is  someone  wandering  in  the  forest,  lost, 
Who  of  loneliness  is  filled  with  fear? 
But  hark!  again  I  hear  the  strain, 
It  is  the  death  song  of  a  swan. 


[36] 


POEM  DRAMAS 


[37] 


"A  PASSER-BY" 
A  Dramatic  Play  in  One  Act 


[39] 


Dramatis  Personae 

Eugene,  a  man. 
Milicent,  a  woman. 
A  Passer-by. 

( The  action  takes  place  at  the  home  of  Eugene 
and  Milicent.) 


[41] 


"A  PASSER-BY" 

Scene — A  room  'with  door  in  center  to  back 
of  stage,  window  on  each  side,  over  which 
thin  draperies  hang....  Windows  open  one- 
third.  The  walls  are  of  plaster  and  for  the 
most  part  bare.  There  is  a  shelf  with  a  lamp 
on  it.  A  small  table  is  in  the  room  to  right 
of  door-way.  Through  the  windows  can  be 
seen  large  trees,  etc.,  as  in  the  center  of  a 
forest.  It  is  toward  evening  and  the  room  is 
becoming  gloomy.  As  the  curtain  rises  Mili- 
cent  is  putting  the  dishes  on  the  table  and 
preparing  the  supper,  humming  a  tune  as  she 
goes  about  her  duties.  The  door  opens  and 
Eugene  is  seen  standing  in  the  door-way,  the 
wind  blowing  through  his  hair.  The  trees 
are  rocking  to  and  fro  and  the  leaves  blowing 
about  in  the  forest. 

Eugene:     Milicent! 

(She  runs  to  him  as  he  closes  the  door  and 
steps  into  the  room.  He  takes  her  into 
his  arms.  The  darkness  of  the  night  is 
coming  on.) 

Like  unto  the  forest  flower 
Which  in  virgin  soil  doth  grow, 
Thou,  my  darling  Milicent, 
Ever  lovely  as  a  rose. 

[43] 


Milicent: 

Gene, 

How  oft  when  you're  away 
I  within  my  room  do  pray 
For  all  the  qualities  of  life 
Which  will  help  you  in  your  strife. 

(Pause.) 

This  one  thought  above  all  else: 
To  be  your  true  and  loving  wife. 

Eugene: 

Ah,  thy  voice  is  always  sweet 
As  the  singing  of  a  bird, 
Often  though  the  wind  doth  sigh, 
Sad  and  weary  thy  reply, 
I,  in  silence,  wonder  why. 

(Pause.) 

Can  it  be  that  thou  art  tired 
Of  this  wild  and  lonely  wood, 
Wouldst  thou  in  some  distant  land  abide? 

Milicent: 

Nay,  nay,  Gene  I  would  not  part 
From  thee  for  distant  lands  of  old; 
For  thou  my  body,  soul  and  heart 
Hath  within  thine  own  enfolded. 

(Pause.) 

Oh  that  I  might  always  be 
Safely  here — with  thee. 

[44] 


Eugene: 

No  one  in  this  world  can  sever 
These  two  hearts  while  thus  together. 

Milicent: 

(Running  lightly  toward  the  shelf  where 
sits  a  lamp.) 

Darkness  has  come  over  all. 

(Takes  the  lamp,  lights  it,  and  places  it  on 
the  table.  Then  continues  to  prepare 
the  supper.) 

Eugene : 

Ever  on  this  earth  must  fall 

Until  within  the  bonds  of  rest 

The  universe  doth  pass; 

Then  God  shall  rule  the  world  with  song 

Where  now  in  grief  we  pass  along. 

(TLugene  draws  up  two  chairs  and  places 
them  on  the  opposite  sides  of  the  table. 
Milicent  finishes  preparing  the  supper 
and  they  both  take  their  seats  at  the 
table.  The  wind  begins  to  howl  outside 
and  the  lamp  flickers.) 

[45] 


Milicent:    A  storm  is  brewing   ! 

(The  wind  blows  the  door  open  and  the 
rain  begins  to  fall  in  torrents.  The 
lightning  flashes  through  the  windows 
and  open  door.  Eugene  hurries  to  the 
door  and  closes  it,  then  shuts  the  win 
dows  tight.  The  door  is  blown  open 
again  and  a  great  sheet  of  rain,  a  few 
leaves  and  a  rose  blow  through  the  door 
way,  falling  at  the  feet  of  Milicent  who 
is  standing  with  her  hands  clasped  watch 
ing  Eugene.  He  closes  the  door  again 
and  bolts  it.) 

Eugene : 

(Looking  down  at  the  rose  on  the  floor 
then  picking  it  up  and  holding  it  in  the 
palm  of  his  hand.) 

See  how  the  storm  hath  rent  the  rose, 
Which  by  our  door  did  bloom  so  fair; 
Only  a  little  while  ago 
Its  fragrance  filled  the  air. 

Milicent: 

And  torn  the  leaves  from  off  the  bough 
To  drown  them  in  the  rain. 
Who  could  ever  be  so  cruel, 
On  whom  is  laid  the  blame? 

[46] 


Eugene : 

So  in  life  the  lovliest  flowers 
Before  the  storm  must  fall; 
And  many  a  soul  has  passed  beyond 
Not  knowing  why  the  call. 

(Milicent  gathers  the  leaves  and  places 
them  in  Eugene's  hand.  He  lays  them 
on  the  table  and  they  are  seated,  resum 
ing  their  supper.  The  wind  rattles  the 
windows  and  the  storm  rages.  Milicent 
stops  eating  and  places  her  hands  over 
her  eyes.) 

Milicent:     An  awful  stupor  o'er  me  comes. 
Eugene:       You  are  frightened  by  the  storm. 

Milicent:     I  thought  I  heard  a  knock  and 
groan. 

Eugene:       Milicent,  there  is  no  harm. 

(Three  knocks  are  heard  at  the  door.  They 
both  listen  and  the  three  knocks  are 
repeated.) 

Eugene : 

Some  stranger  o'er  the  country  roams, 
Should  we  offer  shelter  here  within  our 
home? 

[47] 


Milicent: 

Yes,  for  long  may  be  his  way, 
And  many  hours  will  pass 
Before  the  dawn  of  day. 

(Eugene  goes  to  the  door  and  opens  it.  The 
storm  is  still  raging  and  the  rain  is  fall 
ing  in  torrents.  A  tall  person  garbed  in 
black  draperies  glides  into  the  room, 
passing  Milicent,  then  is  lost  in  the  dark 
ness.  As  the  person  passes  Milicent  she 
sinks  into  her  chair.  Eugene  has  closed 
the  door  and  is  standing  in  awe  watching 
her  as  she  sinks  into  the  chair.  He 
rushes  to  her  and  takes  her  into  his 
arms.) 

Eugene:     Milicent!    Milicent! 


(Curtain.) 


[48] 


"FISHERMEN  OF  THE  SEA" 
A  Dramatic  Play  In  One  Act 


[49] 


Dramatis  Personae 

Friedrich,  first  fisherman. 
Ludwig,  second  fisherman. 
Johann,   third  fisherman,  son  of   Ludwig, 
lover  of  Louise. 

Clara,  wife  of  Ludwig. 
Wilhelmina,  little  daughter  of  Ludwig. 
Louise,  a  young  woman,  daughter  of  Fried- 
rich. 

( The  action  takes  place  by  the  sea  shore.) 


[51] 


"FISHERMEN  OF  THE  SEA" 

Scene — Early  morning  by  the  seashore. 
The  sea  stretching  out  over  indefinite  space  in 
the  back  of  stage.  A  large  pile  on  the  shore 
to  which  a  fisherman's  boat  is  fastened.  In 
the  distance  and  to  right  of  stage  can  be  seen 
the  faint  light  of  a  light-house.  The  sun  is 
still  below  the  horizon  but  the  early  grey 
light  of  dawn  is  over  all.  The  sun  rises  very 
slowly. 

A  lone  figure  of  a  fisherman  dressed  for  his 
day' 's  work  appears  from  left  of  stage  like  a 
shadow  against  the  grey  outline.  Two  other 
fishermen  dressed  likewise  come  from  right 
of  stage.  Their  nets  have  been  drying  along 
the  seashore.  They  gather  them  and  make 
preparations  for  the  day's  work.  While  they 
work  the  sun  appears,  casting  its  rays  over 
the  horizon  and  making  the  scene  a  little 
lighter. 

(Enter  Friedrich  from  left  of  stage.) 
(Enter  Ludwig   and  Johann   from    right   of 
stage.) 

[S3] 


Friedrich :     'morning — 
Ludwig:  'morning — 

Johann:  Good-morning  Sir. 

Ludwig  (looking  out  over  the  sea): 

A  fine  and  dusky  morn, 
A  smooth  and  quiet  sea, 
This  day  should  see  us  shorn 
From  all  calamity. 

(They  pick  up  their  nets  and  begin  to 
untangle  them.) 

Johann  (to  the  father,  laughingly): 

A  sailor,  old  as  thou, 
Should  know  at  least  by  now: 
A  quiet  sea  at  starting 
Proves  not  the  same  at  parting. 

(Enter  Clara  with  daughter  Wilhelmina. 
Friedrich  and  Johann  continue  preparing 
for  day's  work.  Ludwig  walks  toward 
Clara  and  Wilhelmina.) 

Ludwig: 

We  shall  soon  be  off 

But  will  return  by  sun-down. 

Johann  (to  his  mother): 

Why — where  is  Louise? 

[54] 


Clara:     She  will  be  here  anon. 

Friedrich  (turning  to  see  where  Ludwig  and 
Johann  are  sees  Clara  and,  leaving  his 
work,  walks  to  where  she  is.) 

Where  is  my  fair  Louise? 
Clara:     She  will  be  here  anon. 
Friedrich:     How  pretty  is  Wilhelmina! 
Johann:     Every  day  more  so. 

Ludwig:     She  gets  that  from  her  mother. 
(Louise  comes  running  in  from  left  of  stage 
laughing  and  carrying  a  basket  on   her 
arm.) 

Louise:     I  am  rather  slow. 

(She  looks  down  at  her  basket.) 

But  here  I  bring  a  basket 
Full  of  good  things  to  eat, 
Some  are  more  substantial, 
Then  too  there  are  some  sweets — 

(whispering  aside  to  Johann) 
For  you  Johann. 

(Louise  places  the  basket  on  the  ground 
and  with  Johann  turns  away  from  others, 
walking  toward  the  boat.) 

[55] 


Johann : 

All  the  sweets  together 
Could  not  to  one  compare — 

(They  stop  about  half  way  to  the  boat  as 
Ludwig  calls.  The  others  then  pass  them 
and  go  on  td  the  boat  while  Johann  and 
Louise  resume  their  conversation  where 
they  are  standing.} 

Ludwig: 

Ho!  the  sun  is  rising  high 
So  let  us  now  be  off, 
For  soon  the  night  will  lie, 
And  we  must  fill  our  trough. 

(They  all  walk  to  boat  except  Johann  and 
Louise.) 

Louise : 

Sometimes  in  stormy  weather, 

When  the  waves  are  beating  high, 

And  the  sun  has  left  its  place 

Within  the  darkened  sky, 

And  all  is  darker  than  the  darkest  part 

of  night, 

I  fear  for  thy  safety — Johann, 
And  am  filled  with  fright. 

(Pause.) 

[56] 


If  thou  should'st  ever  lose  thy  way 
I  shall  wait  here  day  by  day 
Till  thou  dost  come  again. 

(Johann  takes  Louise  into  his  arms.  The 
others  are  gazing  out  to  sea.  A  large 
black  ship  whose  sail  has  a  red  falcon 
painted  on  it  is  seen  passing  far  out  to 
sea.  It  is  nearing  the  horizon.) 

Clara: 

What  ship  is  that  whose  sail 
Doth  carry  such  an  emblem? 

Ludwig:     Is  it  the  Noresmen's  trail? 
Friedrich:     Such  ships  are  seen  here  seldom. 

Ludwig: 

And  a  Norsemen's  ship  it  is; 
But  why  the  falcon  red? 


Clara: 


Perhaps  it  is  the  ship 

Which  carries  naugh  but  dead, 

Of  those  slain  in  battle, 

And  those  whose  hearts  have  bled 

For  their  country  and  their  home. 

[57] 


Friedrich: 

Yes,  some  such  custom  I  have  known. 
(The  ship   passes   beyond   the   horizon.) 

Johann  (to  Louise): 

The  winds  which  play  upon  the  sea, 
Singing  softly,  merrily, 
Often  bring  a  kiss  to  me, 
And  I  know  it  is  from  thee — 

Louise; 

And  the  cross  thou  gavest  me 
Next  my  heart  shall  always  be. 

Ludwig:     Ho!  we  must  be  off! 

(Johann  walks  to  the  boat.  Ludwig  un 
fastens  the  rope.  Johann  sets  the  basket 
into  the  boat  then  the  three  push  the 
boat  into  the  water,  jumping  in  as  it 
touches  the  water.) 

Ludwig:    We'll  return  by  sun-down. 

(They  take  up  their  oars  and  pull  away 
to  left  of  stage.  The  women  stand  on 
the  shore  watching  them.  Wilhelmina 
is  waving  a  small  white  handkerchief. 
The  boat  is  hardly  out  of  sight  when  a 

[58] 


small  black  cloud  appears.  Also  the 
ship  'with  its  falcon  sail  appears  at  the 
horizon  for  a  few  seconds  then  is  lost 
again  to  sight.  The  women  turn  to  go 
home  and  walk  silently  for  a  few  steps.) 

Louise:    A  cloud  I  see  aloft. 

Clara:     I'll  hope  'twill  soon  be  gone. 

(They  pass  out  to  right  of  stage,  Wilhel- 
mina  going  with  them.  The  ship  appears 
again  at  the  horizon  and  the  sky  is  soon 
filled  with  clouds.  A  few  distant  peals 
of  thunder  are  heard  now  and  then  and 
an  occasional  flash  of  'lightning  is  seen. 
Soon  the  clouds  fill  the  sky  and  it  grows 
very  dark.  The  winds  begin  to  howl. 
Louise  runs  onto  the  stage  frantically.) 

Louise : 

A  storm!  A  storm! 

O  God!  keep  them  from  harm. 

(Clara  comes  running  in.  The  wind  is 
blowing  the  hair  and  skirts  of  both 
madly.) 

[59] 


Clara: 

Come,  come  within  the  shelter, 
We  can  do  nothing  here, 
But  sit  and  calmly  wait 
Until  the  sky  is  clear. 

(The  sea  becomes  furious  and  the  rain 
begins  to  fall.  Louise  and  Clara  rush, 
hand  in  hand,  off  the  stage  to  right.  In 
the  flashlings  of  the  lightning  the  ship 
with  the  falcon  sail  can  be  seen  hover 
ing  about  in  mid-sea.  The  storme  rages 
for  awhile  but  soon  begins  to  calm.  The 
sky  clears  and  there  is  a  beautiful  sunset. 
The  ship  cannot  be  seen.  Louise  and 
Clara  appear  and  walk  to  the  water's 
edge,  gazing  out  over  the  sea.) 

Louise:    Thinkest  thou  that  they  are  lost? 

Clara: 

I  am  afraid  to  think, 

I  pray,  only  tempest  tossed, 

Now  safe  within  the  brink. 

(They  gaze  out  over  the  sea  in  silence. 
Darkness  comes  on  and  the  stars  are  be 
ginning  to  sparkle  in  the  sky.) 

[60] 


Clara: 

Wilhelmina — 

I  must  look  after  her. 

(Clara  passes  out  to  right  of  stage.  Louise 
is  standing  close  to  the  'water  s  edge — a 
lone  outline  against  the  sea  and  sky — and 
remains  here  for  some  time  in  silence. 
The  moon  rises  into  the  heavens,  making 
a  soft,  grey  light  over  all.  The  ship 
appears — a  dull  outline — near  the  hori 
zon  and  moves  slowly  along.  The  light 
is  seen  in  the  light-house.  Clara  returns.) 

Clara:   Hast  thou  seen  naught  of  them? 
Louise :     Naught — 

Clara:     Hast  thou  seen  any  fishermen? 
Louise :     None — 

Clara: 

Yon  boat  upon  the  waters  still  doth  float, 
And  so  Louise    .     .    .    there  is  hope. 

(Pause.) 

The  night  is  colder  growing, 
We  should  be  homeward  going. 

[61] 


Louise : 

I  shall  here  remain 
Until  the  sky  is  bare 
Of  all  the  sparkling  stars 
Now  existing  there; 
Until  the  moon  forever  goes 
Away  from  sight  of  man, 
Until  the  earth  becomes 
A  place  of  frozen  sand, 
Until  the  depths  of  sea 
Become  a  desert  land, 
I  shall  here  remain 
Until  he  comes  again. 

(Clara  walks  slowly  with  bowed  head  pass 
ing  out  to  right  of  stage.  Louise  remains 
motionless.  The  ship  with  the  falcon 
sail  is  seen  again  near  the  horizon.  It 
is  slowly  moving  out  of  sight.) 

Louise: 

O  moon  who  oft  hath  seen  us  in  our  walk, 
O  stars  who  guided  us  upon  the  sea, 
O  wind  in  which  his  sail  has  caught, 
Bring  him  safely  home  again  to  me. 

(As  the  ship  disappears  beyond  the  horizon 
a  cross  is  thrown  from  the  sea,  falling 
at  the  feet  of  Louise,  who  grasps  it  and 
holds  it  high  above  her  head.) 

[62] 


Louise : 


Johann!    Johann! 
It  is  thy  cross! 
Johann!    Johann! 
Forever  lost! 


(Curtain) 


[63] 


#3«i 

AftJ£l  DM 


^^ri^foxMvM!iWl^f^ 


^"^^^Lo-^ 


re  M989 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


r^,l«;Ss?S^K|fest3® 


^°IR^^PP^ 


